Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 14798, Ard Godfrey, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Godfrey, Ard Abigail
W 14798
CONTENTS

1846.
Massachusetts.
Abigail Godfrey, widow of Mr. Godfrey.
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents
Cents per annum; to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. day of Sept 1848 and sent to
Hon S. Hale M. C. Bridgewater Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 52 Vol. 2.
Reported

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. On this Twelfth day of May eighteen hundred and forty six, personally appeared before Oliver Prescott, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said county of Bristol, Abigail Godfrey, a resident of Taunton in said county aged Eighty two Years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows" and the several subsequent acts in relation thereto — That she is the widow of Ard Godfrey late of said Taunton deceased, who was a soldier in the War of the Revo- lution and served as she believes eight months or near that time, in 1775 under Capt Oliver Soper in Col Timothy Walker's Regiment — She further says as she believes that said Ard Godfrey served one month and 15 days under Capt Ishabod Linnard in 1778 — For evidence of these services she refers to the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and also to the rolls in the Pension Depart- ment at Washington to complete the

first term of service above mentioned —
She further says, as she now recollects, that the said Lord Godfrey served on board some armed vessel of war; but how long she cannot state — That he was captured & carried to England where he remained a prisoner until the close thereof — That she believes he served on board some Government vessel — She has no evidence to her knowledge of this service; and relies upon the evidence thereof, if any there be, in the proper Department at Washington —
She further says that after she heard of the passage of the act of Congress aforesaid she suggested to her children or one of them that she thought she could get a pension — Who dissuaded her from making the attempt, saying the substance "There was no evidence of his services" — Lately she has been advised by a young friend to attend to and make the attempt and do so accordingly —

I James Spratt of Taunton in the County of Bristol, do depose and say that I am Clerk of the Courts in and for said County and have in my custody a book containing a record of Marriages solemnised by various persons in said County - On Pages 19 & 20 is the record of 46 Marriages solemnised by the Rev d Ephraim Judson of Taunton commencing with July 16 1782 & ending March 24. 1790 - Among the number is the following viz. "Seventeen hundred eighty five January "thirty first, Lord Godfrey and Abigail "Cooper" That it is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows - "1785 Jan y 31" - Jas. Spratt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. May 13 th 1846 Subscribed and sworn to -
Before me A. Bassett Just Peace

She further declares that she was married to the said Ard Godfrey on the thirty first day of January Seventeen hundred and eighty five by the Reverend Ephraim Judson a settled Minister in Taunton - And that her husband the aforesaid Ard Godfrey died on or about the eighth day of August Seventeen hundred and ninety five; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four or at the time above stated -
She further says that she has not been married since the decease of the said Ard Godfrey -
Abigail Godfrey
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written - Before me Oliver Prescott
I Oliver Prescott Judge of the court of Probate in & for the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Abigail Godfrey the foregoing named applicant for a pension, cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend the court -
May 12 1846.
Oliver Prescott

"Before" & "Abigail Godfrey a resident of Taunton in said county" interlined before signing -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol County ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County. do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificates, was at the date thereof still is Judge of said court of Probate -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand and the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of May eighteen hundred forty six -
A Bassett

J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington —

Taunton May 14. 1846
Sir Herewith is the Application of Abigail Godfrey widow of And Godfrey dec d . for a pension —
Any communication you may be pleased to make relative thereto may be made to me —
Very Respectfully Your Obedient ABigail
H. Edwards Esq Clerk of Newton Washington

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14798
Abigail Godfrey Widow of
And Godfrey
Briv. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 2 d 1848
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 280
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11044.
Massachusetts.
Abigail Godfrey
Widow of And Godfrey who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 8 th August 1795. of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts, who was a Pri. in the Company commanded by Captain Loper of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brock in the Mass. — line for 9 mo. 15 dys.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of July 1846 and sent to A. Bassett, Esq. Taunton, M.
Total amount,
$
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by C. Henry Moad Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 59.

Rp 7
Act 1838, + 1843 + 44.
Letter to Hon. Artemas Hale May 9 th 1848.
7884. ~
Massachusetts.
Abigail Godfrey widow of Nod Godfrey who was a Private in the Revolution.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 — Dollars 66 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of July, 1846. and sent to
A. Bassett, Esq. Taunton, Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843.]
and 17 th June 1844.
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2. — Page 30.

Abigail Godfrey Maf
Acts 38. 43 & 44
What payments have been made to to what periods
Pension Office April 22 1848.
Paid 5 years in full under 1838, and paid to 4 th Mon. 1847 under '43 L th  W.H.B.

Abigail Grafton
aa
7884
admitted
Artemas Hale M. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Bristol County ss.
On this fifth day of August eighteen hundred and forty eight, personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Abigail Godfrey a resident of Taunton in said County of Bristol, aged Eighty six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2 d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war — That she is the widow of Arl Godfrey who was a resident of said Taunton and died in 1795 — That she is the identical person who drew a pension from March 4. 1836 to March 4. 1841 and also from March 4. 1843 to March 4. 1848 on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of $31.66 per annum — She further declares that she is still a widow — Abigail Godfrey
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written — Before me A. Barrett Just. Peace In presence of Lucy Godfrey

I certify, that Abigail Godfrey within named is personally known to me, is a widow and was a pensioner as she has declared —
A. Bassett Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Bristol ss.
I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Abigail Bassett Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this seventh day of August, in the year Eighteen hundred and forty eight.
J. Spratt Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
April 22. 1846.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Asa Godfrey of Taunton, is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Oliver Separk's Company, in Col Timothy Walker's Regt in the Eight Months Service, as a private from May 2 1775 - 3 Months 16 days - Upon a Return of said Company, in said Regt, as a private - no service named. said Return is dated October 6 1775 - and upon Coat Roll of same dated November 1. 1775. - Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Ichabod Searls Company, in Col Thomas Gayrenton's Regt, that marched from Bristol County to Rhode Island, in July 1778, for the term of 6 weeks, as a private of Taunton, 1 Month 13 days. Not upon Naval Rolls. The above
8
1. 15

all the evidence of service of any one of the names shown by the Military Records in this Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli= cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John C. Pierpont, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To John G. Palfrey Esq: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Sir,
Abigail Godfrey of Taunton in the County of Bristol, respectfully represents, that her late husband Ard Godfrey, deceased, was, as she believes in the Revolutionary War and served on board one or more armed vessels nearly or quite two years in the early part of said war, and was captured and carried to England where he remained a prisoner of war until the close thereof — He was then discharged & returned to Taunton his former place of residence — She has been informed and believes he was on board of some Government vessel at the time of his capture —
She therefore requests a certificate of his services, if any can be found in your Office —
Witness
Allen Presley Justice of the Peace —
Abigail Godfrey

Seth Presbrey of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Sixty five years do depose and say that I know Abigail Godfrey the widow of Ard Godfrey late of said Taunton deceased - I well remember the said Ard Godfrey and the circumstances of his death in the year sev- enteen hundred and ninety five - I further depose and say that I have been acquainted with Abigail Godfrey of said Taunton who was and is the widow of the said Ard Godfrey deceased, for and during the whole term of her widowhood up to this date - My place of residence being now, and during the whole term of my acquaintance with her, the said Abigail Godfrey, within one quarter of a mile of hers
And during all the time aforesaid she has been known as the widow of said Ard Godfrey and has not been mar- ried since the death of the said Ard Godfrey her husband
Seth Presbrey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. May 4 th 1846 Seth Purbrey a credible witness made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him signed
Before me Alvin Purbrey Justice of the Peace

12769-8973 460
Abigail Godfrey, Mass.
Act 7. July '38.
Admitted
9 mo. 15 d. private
$31.66 p. ann.
Also, acts '43 & '44.
A. Basset, Esq. Taunton, Mass.

I Allen Presbrey of Fawnton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty six years or within a few days thereof do depose and say that I know Abigail Godfrey the widow of Arnd Godfrey late of said Fawnton deceased — I have no recollection of ever seeing the said Arnd Godfrey, but have often heard that he died in seventeen hundred and ninety five — I further depose and say that I have been acquainted with Abigail Godfrey of said Fawnton who it is said was and is the widow of the said Arnd Godfrey deceased, for a long time & as far back as my recollection will carry me — And during that time, excepting for about seven years, I have resided within one third of a Mile from her place of residence — And for the seven years aforesaid I resided within one and a quarter Miles of her residence — And during all the time aforesaid she has been known as the widow of said Arnd Godfrey and has not been married since my

recollection if she had I should certainly have heard of it, and also known it —
Allen Presbrey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wiltshire County ss. May 4. 1846 Allen Presbrey a credible witness made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed —
Before me A. Barrett, Just. of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Dist. Ct.
I James Sprague, Clerk of the Court of the Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Allen Presbrey and Andrew Banta Esqrs. whose signatures and affixing the foregoing and annexed certificates are Justices of the peace in & for said County of Bristol are duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Farmington, this fourteenth day of May, in the year Eighteen hundred forty six —
J. Sprague

Abigail Godfrey of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, widow of Arad Godfrey late of said Taunton, deceased, deposes and says, that she received through the hands of A. Bassett two pension certificates, for and in account of the services of the said Arad Godfrey in the Revolutionary War — When she received said certificates she was informed that they must be forwarded to Boston — They were accordingly handed to said Bassett when she made a power of attorney to collect what was then due — She further deposes and says that she has never seen said pension certificates or either of them, nor has she ever received any other pension certificate in lieu thereof or of either —
She therefore prays that another pension certificate or other document may be forwarded to her, to enable her to collect the arrears due her —
Abigail Godfrey
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. April 17 th 1848 Abigail Godfrey abovenmentioned personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by her signed — Before me A. Bassett Just of the Peace

I Nathaniel S. Mann of Newton in the County of Middle and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do depose and say, that all the Pennies Certificates which have heretofore been handed me for the collection of pennies, were uniformly left by me at the Pennies Office in Boston, according to directions — E. S. Mason
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middle County ss. Personally appeared Nathaniel S. Mann a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him signed — Before me A. B. Alcott Just. of the Peace —

I Amos Bassett of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say that the application of Abigail Godfrey of said Taunton, widow of Lord Godfrey, deceased, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, for a Pension, was drawn in my Office - The same was sworn to by Mrs Godfrey May 12. 1846 accor- -ding to my record - Afterwards I received two Pension Certificates for said Abigail, one for $31.66 from March 4. 1836 to March 4. 1841 and the other for the same amount from March 4. 1843 to March 4. 1848 - Afterwards I made power of Attorney to collect the amount then due and delivered the Pension Certificates to Nathaniel S. Mason of said Taunton who was authorized by said power of Attorney to collect the amount due thereon at the Pension Office in Boston to be left there with Lovell M. Stone Esq. who was then living - I received the money then due from Mr Mason and paid it to Mrs Godfrey -
Since that time I have not seen said Pension Certificates, Nor have I ever seen or heard of any other Pension certificate being rec'd by or forwarded to Mrs Abigail Godfrey abovenamed - A Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mristol county ss. April 19. 1848 Personally appeared the foregoing named Anselm Barnett Made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him signed — Before me James P. Ellis Just of the Peace.

House of Reps— Washington D.C. Aug. t 9, 1848
Sir
Herewith I hand you the Declarations of Polly Richards, Betsey Hethaway, Abigail Godfrey, Susannah Dean & Lydia Bassett, for the benefits of the act of Feb. 2. 1848—
If the certificates should not be issued before the adjournment of Congress, I will thank you to forward them to me at Bridgewater, Mass—
Respectfully Yours
Artemas Hale
J. L. Edwards Esq } Comm r of Pensions }
to Polly Richards

House of Rep s Washington City Apr. 21. 1848
Sir
Enclosed herewith I hand you the petition & accompanying papers of Abigail Godfrey, for a new pen- sion Certificate, in lieu of the one formerly held by & is now lost -
Your attention to the matter is respectfully solicited by
Your Obedt
Servt
Nathaniel Hale
J. S. Edwards Esq.